The PGA European Tour comes to a close this week with the Dubai World Championship. The European number one player spot is on the line for the golf tournament, which runs Thursday through Sunday. 60 of the world’s best golfers will be playing in the $7.5 million tournament. World #1 Lee Westwood carries top betting odds to defend his Dubai World Championship crown, but he will face a tough field with the likes of Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and other top European players.

Westwood won the inaugural Dubai World Championship last year at the same Earth Course on the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. He has had a stellar season and was a key part of Europe’s Ryder Cup win. Taking over Tiger Woods’ #1 spot atop the world rankings is no easy feat.

The Race to Dubai ends here and Kaymer leads the rankings, but McDowell is not far behind. Both played important roles on the European Ryder Cup team and either could claim the European number one spot at the Dubai World Championship. Kaymer has a decent money lead over McDowell, but the German has been on a break as of late to rest up for this crucial golf tournament. If Kaymer wins in Dubai and Westwood finishes outside the top two, Kaymer will take over the European top spot.

McDowell needs to finish in the top three in Dubai to stay in the running for the season’s top European golfer. If he finishes third, Kaymer must finish 20th or below. If McDowell finishes second, Kaymer must finish third or below. If McDowell wins, he will be the top European golfer. On the season, McDowell won the U.S. Open and Andalucia Masters. He finished fifth last week at the USB Hong Kong Open last week to close in on Kaymer in the Race to Dubai standings. After sinking the winning putt for the European side in the Ryder Cup, McDowell has great each way betting value of holding his nerve and winning the Dubai World Championship.

Also, look for Edoardo Molinari to place in Dubai after an excellent season. Molinari was on the European Ryder Cup team and won the HSBC Champions title. He tied for fourth at the Singapore Open last week.

Dubai World Championship Winner Odds (provided by Eurobet)

Lee Westwood: 6/1

Ian Poulter: 12/1

Martin Kaymer: 12/1

Rory McIlroy: 12/1

Graeme McDowell: 14/1

Paul Casey: 14/1

Luke Donald: 16/1

Ernie Els: 20/1

Francesco Molinari: 20/1

Padraig Harrington: 28/1

Retief Goosen: 28/1

Ross Fisher: 33/1

Charl Schwartzel: 40/1

Edoardo Molinari: 40/1

Matteo Manassero: 40/1

Miguel Angel Jimenez: 40/1

Robert Karlsson: 40/1

Peter Hanson: 45/1